Willow Parks Wines & Spirits

There is always something for customers to enjoy at Willow Park Wines & Spirits.Whether it’s to taste a recently launched product, chat with one of the store’s trusted experts, attend an event or peruse Canada’s largest selection of wine, beer and spirits, the trip is well worth the time.But it is some of the behind-the-scenes action at Willow Park Wines & Spirits — Gold winner in the Wine Store category and a winner in the Liquor Store category of the 2013-14 Calgary Herald Readers’ Choice — that is particularly noteworthy these days. This includes the growing reputation of its staff’s expertise and the store’s commitment to wine and spirits education programs.More than 30 staff members at Willow Park Wines & Spirits are accredited sommeliers, highly qualified to assist customers with any purchase. Through educational programming, television shows and in-store expertise, the trusted experts at Willow Park Wines & Spirits have helped change the spirit retail landscape. Willow Park Wines & Spirits’ Charity Wine Auction, meanwhile, is now in its 20th year, and is a highlight of the year for many Calgarians.The celebration has expanded in recent years from a one-day event to four days of tastings. This year’s events include the Whisky Festival on Nov. 6; Beer Bash on Nov. 7; California Dreamin’, a celebration of California’s top wines, on Nov. 8; and the grand finale Charity Wine Auction on Nov. 9.Experts and industry representatives from around the world fly to Calgary to attend the event. In total there will be 20 winemakers and industry personalities in attendance and more than 75 famous libations to sample.A live and silent auction allows people to bid on many spectacular items, with six trips available, including a chance to run in the Bordeaux Marathon where participants stop at 40 chateaux along the way.The Charity Wine Auction is open to the public and a $10,000-prize is awarded for best costume, to be donated to the winner’s favourite charity. This year’s theme is Viva Las Vegas.Benefits from this year’s event, which raises almost $250,000 annually, are being given 100 per cent to Alberta Flood Relief.Willow Park Wines & Spirits is hoping to partner with the city on a capital project that will serve as a legacy to the flood recovery efforts.The company has also been a longtime supporter of the hospitality and tourism programs at SAIT Polytechnic. Students from SAIT volunteer at the annual Charity Wine Auction as part of their required curriculum.Willow Park Wines & Spirits continues to offer an extensive lineup of programs and special events throughout the year. Programs include everything from bourbon-tasting events and the Women & Wine series to the always-popular Scotch in the Cellar, Friday Festivals and Connoisseur events.Right now Willow Park Wines & Spirits is in the midst of 90 events in 90 days, a testament to the huge number and variety of offerings in its fall programs.The Travel with the Trusted Experts promotion is also back at Willow Park, and includes the 2014 Harvest in Bordeaux tour that blends wine, food, cooking, history and local charm under the guidance of trusted expert Peter Smolarz.In March 2014, Willow Park Wines & Spirits will mark its 20th anniversary with 20 events in 20 days, starting with the Festival of Flavours on March 1.Throughout March, visiting winemakers, brewmasters and distillery experts attend Willow Park events in celebration of its 20 years.Calgarians are asked to come out and help Canada’s largest liquor store celebrate two decades of spirited and successful business.